Lawmakers from California introduce new safety bill in wake of Conception disaster

WASHINGTON D.C. - Lawmakers representing California introduced a new boat safety bill on Thursday. The bill aims to raise maritime safety standards in response to the dive boat Conception tragedy on Sept. 2.

The Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 2019 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26). The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Outlined in the bill, the Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act will require small passenger vessels, such as the Conception, to have no less than two avenues of escape to different parts of the vessel. The bill includes new mandates for handling and storage of devices of lithium ion batteries and establishes increased standard for interconnected fire alarm systems.

“If we are to save lives and make necessary reforms in the wake of the Conception tragedy, we must no longer allow older vessels to operate under antiquated regulations at the expense of our public safety,” said Rep. Carbajal in a press release. “Our bill to modernize maritime safety is not only practical, it’s imperative. Over the years, we have seen enough evidence from previous disasters and other investigations to know that the time to put safety first is long overdue."

The bill was introduced following the sinking of the dive boat Conception on Sept. 2 where 34 people died when a fire broke out aboard the boat as passengers slept below the main deck. Five people, all crewmembers, survived.

The full text of the bill can be found here.